Using Masking Tape

Using Masking Tape

Like brushes, rollers, and drop cloths, tape is essential on any paint job. Even if your hand is steady as a surgeon's, using tape to mask off walls, trim, floors, and windows protects them from errant drips and brushstrokes. But before you reach for that basic beige or blue roll, keep in mind that you can't judge a masking tape by its color. You need to study the fine print. There are tapes so sticky they hold fast on stucco and ones that are kind to wallpaper. Some hang tough when exposed to ­solvents, while others can stay for days without leaving behind a gummy residue. If you wince at sticking bits of tape into the corners of windows, there are even neat, precut tape triangles. And while no tape is 100 percent bleed-proof, you can improve the odds by picking the best one for your job. Here's how.

2×

For Most Purposes

For Most Purposes

Frog Tape has a special ingredient that turns paint into a gel before it can bleed underneath, so you get supercrisp lines. The medium-strength adhesive won't harm wood finishes, but avoid putting it on wallpaper. Use it outdoors for up to 14 days and indoors for 21. It has a one-year shelf life. About $6,

TOH Tip: "To get the cleanest edge, pull off the masking tape while the paint is still tacky."
— - saboteamos.info master carpenter Norm Abram

3×

For Delicate Surfaces

For Delicate Surfaces

Scotch-Blue Delicate tape (#2080) has low- to-medium adhesion, so it won't damage vinyl wallpaper, finished wood floors, or primed wallboard—although it can harm uncoated paper or foil wall coverings and other vulnerable surfaces. Pulls up clean for up to 60 days. About $5,

4×

For Carpets

For Carpets

Where you need to protect carpet, sheet flooring, or unfinished wood and metal from paint, medium-to-high-adhesion Scotch General Purpose (#2050) goes down tight and pulls away cleanly up to three days later. Caution: It may leave a residue if allowed to bake in the sun, and it's not recommended on finished wood floors, wall coverings, or painted metal. About $7.50,

5×

For Tight Corners

For Tight Corners

Scotch-Blue Painter's Tape for Corners and Hinges (#2090CM) comes in handy precut, medium-adhesion shapes that you peel off and stick to window panes, hinge leaves, and other tight spots. They won't lift paint that has cured at least 30 days, and they'll pull up clean—and survive in the sun—for up to 14 days. About $5,

6×

For Pinstripes

For Pinstripes

Medium-adhesion Painter's Mate Green tape is a useful decorating tool for creating faux tile patterns, stripes, or borders. It won't damage paint that's over a month old, and it peels off cleanly after eight days, even after being left in full sun. About $4,

TOH Tip: "Masking tape is not a permission slip for sloppy brushwork. The less paint you get on a tape, the easier it is to remove without making a mess."
— - saboteamos.info master carpenter Norm Abram

7×

For Stencils

For Stencils

The paper backing on Razor-Edge Gold tape (#CP 60) is so sheer that you can position it just right and even cut it in place to follow a line. Its low-strength adhesive won't pull up wallpaper or cured paint. Safe to leave in place for 60 days, indoors or out. About $8.50,

8×

For Brick

For Brick

Scotch Hard-to-Stick tape (#2060) adheres to rough, hard-to-stick-to interior surfaces like brick, concrete, and rough wood, but it will leave behind adhesive residue if used outdoors or if left in place for more than three days. Unlike most tapes, it peels cleanly off lacquered surfaces. Not recommended for use on wallboard, wall coverings, or finished wood floors. About $5,

Using Masking Tape

Like brushes, rollers, and drop cloths, tape is essential on any paint job. Even if your hand is steady as a surgeon's, using tape to mask off walls, trim, floors, and windows protects them from errant drips and brushstrokes. But before you reach for that basic beige or blue roll, keep in mind that you can't judge a masking tape by its color. You need to study the fine print. There are tapes so sticky they hold fast on stucco and ones that are kind to wallpaper. Some hang tough when exposed to ­solvents, while others can stay for days without leaving behind a gummy residue. If you wince at sticking bits of tape into the corners of windows, there are even neat, precut tape triangles. And while no tape is 100 percent bleed-proof, you can improve the odds by picking the best one for your job. Here's how.

For Most Purposes

Frog Tape has a special ingredient that turns paint into a gel before it can bleed underneath, so you get supercrisp lines. The medium-strength adhesive won't harm wood finishes, but avoid putting it on wallpaper. Use it outdoors for up to 14 days and indoors for 21. It has a one-year shelf life. About $6,

TOH Tip: "To get the cleanest edge, pull off the masking tape while the paint is still tacky."
— - saboteamos.info master carpenter Norm Abram

For Delicate Surfaces

Scotch-Blue Delicate tape (#2080) has low- to-medium adhesion, so it won't damage vinyl wallpaper, finished wood floors, or primed wallboard—although it can harm uncoated paper or foil wall coverings and other vulnerable surfaces. Pulls up clean for up to 60 days. About $5,

For Carpets

Where you need to protect carpet, sheet flooring, or unfinished wood and metal from paint, medium-to-high-adhesion Scotch General Purpose (#2050) goes down tight and pulls away cleanly up to three days later. Caution: It may leave a residue if allowed to bake in the sun, and it's not recommended on finished wood floors, wall coverings, or painted metal. About $7.50,

For Tight Corners

Scotch-Blue Painter's Tape for Corners and Hinges (#2090CM) comes in handy precut, medium-adhesion shapes that you peel off and stick to window panes, hinge leaves, and other tight spots. They won't lift paint that has cured at least 30 days, and they'll pull up clean—and survive in the sun—for up to 14 days. About $5,

For Pinstripes

Medium-adhesion Painter's Mate Green tape is a useful decorating tool for creating faux tile patterns, stripes, or borders. It won't damage paint that's over a month old, and it peels off cleanly after eight days, even after being left in full sun. About $4,

TOH Tip: "Masking tape is not a permission slip for sloppy brushwork. The less paint you get on a tape, the easier it is to remove without making a mess."
— - saboteamos.info master carpenter Norm Abram

For Stencils

The paper backing on Razor-Edge Gold tape (#CP 60) is so sheer that you can position it just right and even cut it in place to follow a line. Its low-strength adhesive won't pull up wallpaper or cured paint. Safe to leave in place for 60 days, indoors or out. About $8.50,

For Brick

Scotch Hard-to-Stick tape (#2060) adheres to rough, hard-to-stick-to interior surfaces like brick, concrete, and rough wood, but it will leave behind adhesive residue if used outdoors or if left in place for more than three days. Unlike most tapes, it peels cleanly off lacquered surfaces. Not recommended for use on wallboard, wall coverings, or finished wood floors. About $5,